Mahama urged to go after galamsey kingpins as environmental battle deepens in Ghana

On Saturday, November 1, 2025, Senyo Hosi, Convenor of the One Ghana Movement, called on President John Mahama to intensify efforts in the fight against illegal mining—known locally as “galamsey”—by focusing not just on small-scale operators, but on the syndicates and influential figures behind the scourge.

Speaking on the radio show The Big Issue, Hosi commended the President’s anti-galamsey actions to date, but argued that “without dealing with the kingpins, galamsey is not going anywhere.”

He said that despite almost ten months of government operations, there has been little progress in identifying or prosecuting the masterminds of the trade. “If after 10 months we are not reminding him of the kingpins, then we have a problem,” he added. The call underscores a growing frustration with the pace and target of enforcement efforts.

The message carries major significance for Ghana’s economic, environmental, and governance agendas. Illegal mining has wide-ranging impacts: districts in the Western and Ashanti regions report rampant destruction of forests and contamination of rivers such as the Tano and Ankobra.

By failing to target those with the greatest power and resources, the government risks allowing the illegal mining infrastructure to persist. That, in turn, undermines efforts to preserve water bodies, restore degraded lands, and protect forest reserves—issues that are central to sustainable development in Ghana and, by extension, many African countries facing similar challenges.

The current state of the fight against galamsey

According to the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources (MLNR), the government has conducted several targeted anti-galamsey operations. A recent wave of field activity in early October 2025, covering hotspots including Gangway (Aboso), the Ankobra River, the Tano Anwia Forest in Jomoro, and the Cape Three Points Forest Reserve, resulted in 28 arrests and the seizure of heavy equipment.

Earlier in June, the Ghana Police Service reported that 38 suspects were apprehended in multi-regional raids across the Western, Ashanti, and Central Regions.

While these figures reflect progress, analysts and campaigners say enforcement continues to focus on low-level operatives rather than the financiers or institutional facilitators behind the operations.

Hosi’s main contention is that the fight against galamsey remains incomplete if “kingpins”—individuals or networks who finance, equip, or provide protection for illegal mining operations—are not held to account.

He asked bluntly: “Where are the galamsey kingpins? We must remind the government that we’re still waiting for the kingpins.”

Hosi also emphasised the importance of civic pressure, arguing that citizens must push the government to act decisively. “If you don’t force him, he won’t move,” he said, referring to President Mahama.

In earlier remarks, he described the establishment of informal mining settlements by foreign nationals inside forest reserves as a “national security issue” and urged the government to take immediate steps to dismantle them.

Illegal small-scale gold mining in Ghana—widely known as galamsey—has a long history of environmental degradation and weak regulatory control. The term derives from “gather them and sell,” reflecting its informal origins.

Under the Minerals and Mining (Amendment) Act, 2015 (Act 900) and its subsequent updates, galamsey is classified as an illegal activity. However, complex ownership structures, political interference, and illicit financing have made it difficult to prosecute major players successfully.

In the Western Region and neighbouring Western North, large tracts of forest reserves have been overrun by illegal operations. In some cases, companies have allegedly charged up to GHS 300,000 for access to forest compartments in the Samreboi enclave—allowing illegal miners to operate within protected areas.

Communities such as Konongo, Asamang-Tamfoe, and Osino have witnessed mining along highways and riverbanks, leading to polluted streams, diverted waterways, and destroyed farmlands. The social and ecological costs continue to mount as livelihoods depending on clean water and agriculture are threatened.

• Deterrence: Holding top orchestrators accountable raises the cost of running illegal operations and discourages others from entering the trade.
• Disruption of networks: Kingpins are typically the financiers, equipment suppliers, money-launderers, and license-facilitators. Failing to stop them leaves the structure intact.
• Better resource recovery: Once the heads of these networks are exposed, the government can trace machinery, gold flows, and revenue leakages, boosting state capacity.
• Public trust: Demonstrating that enforcement is impartial and not limited to low-level actors enhances citizens’ confidence in the rule of law.

Despite the arrests and equipment seizures, key challenges persist:

• Prosecution and conviction: Arrests alone are not sufficient without successful prosecution of cases.
• Political economy: Illegal mining often involves powerful individuals, traditional authorities, and cross-border networks, making enforcement complex.
• Restoration and alternative livelihoods: Even if operations cease, damaged ecosystems and displaced communities require sustainable rehabilitation.
• Coordination and transparency: Agencies must share data, engage communities, and report progress to ensure credibility and fairness in enforcement.

For Ghanaians, the fight against galamsey extends beyond environmental protection—it affects water security, land rights, public health, and national reputation. Senyo Hosi’s renewed call to target the “kingpins” rather than only operational miners highlights a critical gap in Ghana’s anti-galamsey campaign.

Whether the government will respond by naming key offenders, revoking high-level mining permits, or initiating dedicated investigations remains to be seen. But for citizens monitoring progress, the emphasis now shifts to accountability at the top.

In conclusion, while tangible progress has been made in curbing illegal mining, the next decisive step lies in dismantling the financial and political structures sustaining the trade. Going after the kingpins may well determine whether Ghana can permanently reverse the devastating impact of galamsey on its environment and communities.

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